Matthew Andrew Nelsen, age 37, of Cokato, died at his home Wednesday, April 25, 2012.

He was born Jan. 21, 1975, in Litchfield, the son of Lori Nelsen. Matthew grew up in the Dassel and Hutchinson areas. He attended Our Saviors Lutheran School in Hutchinson through the third grade, before transferring to the Dassel Cokato School and attending through the ninth grade. He then transferred to the Hutchinson High School.

Matthew was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Dassel at the time of his death.

He was united in marriage to Bonnie Stewart. They made their home in Cokato, where they raised their family.

Matthew had been employed at Dura Supreme in Howard Lake. He had also worked for many years at Spectralytics, New Dimensions, and Schweiss bi-fold doors.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and playing with his children. Matthew was a meticulous woodworker, enjoyed archery, shooting and collecting guns, and collecting World War II memorabilia, such as, helmets, model airplanes, and boats.

He was a jokester who loved to laugh and make other people laugh. An avid camper, Matthew could often be found camping in the backyard with his children.

He also would often help with farm field work, and loved to operate the farm equipment on his Grandpa Mosel’s farm.

Matthew had won many awards and trophies driving in Super Stock tractor pulls in both the Meeker County Fair and the McLeod County Fair.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of Cokato; children, Lacie Nelsen, Dylan Maidl, and Marissa Engquist, all of Cokato; mother, Lori Nelsen of Hutchinson; stepfather Kevin (Fuzzy) Dircks of Hutchinson; and uncles Bart (Flor) Nelsen of Hutchinson, and Bret (Margie) Nelsen of Hutchinson.

Matthew was preceded in death by his grandma, Betty Jean Nelsen.

A memorial service took place Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Dassel with the Rev. Keith Carlson officiating. There was a time to gather with family one hour prior to the service at the church.